Nasu-Karasuyama City

Index

Highlights of Nasu-Karasuyama City

Nasu-Karasuyama is a small city surrounded by beautiful Japanese countryside 2 hours north of Tokyo.

It is mostly known for its ‘UNESCO World Heritage’ festival called the Yamaage Festival (click for the festival guide if you plan to visit), and is also full of things to do and see. Visitors enjoy cycling, making/buying Japanese Washi paper (wikipedia), visiting the Ryumon waterfall and the Shimazaki sake brewery (the CAVE brewery) that ages its IWC Trophy award-winning sake in a hand-dug cave.

The easiest way to visit Nasu-Karasuyama is by train. From JR Utsunomiya Station (50 min from Tokyo on the Tohoku & Yamagata Shinkansen ) take the JR Karasuyama Line and get off at Karasuyama Station (the last stop) or Taki Station (the station before that for the waterfall and cave).

If you are in Japan in late July and like lively festivals, you shouldn’t miss the Yamaage festival, but if you prefer to experience the peaceful Japanese countryside, then visiting in the spring and autumn seasons are also enjoyable.

Main stage at Yamaage Festival (Kabuki Festival) in Nasukarasuyama city

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People hand-fishing at Nasukarsuyama Yana RIver. Things to do in Nasu-Karasuyama, Japan.

Nasukarasuyama Shimazaki sake brewery's cave

Visiting Ryumon Falls. Things to do in Nasu-Karasuyama.

Outside of the Yamaage Kaikan in Nasukarasuyama city

Things to do in Nasu-Karasuyama - a person enjoying kayaking on the river

Access

From Tokyo

From Airports

Haneda Intl. Airport

Narita Intl. Airport

Ibaraki Airport

Main Stations

Videos of Nasu-Karasuyama City

Yamaage Festival & Nasu-Karasuyama

A Day at Yamaage Festival

A Day in Nasu-Karasuyama

Ryumon Falls

Things to DO in Nasu-Karasuyama City

Ryumon Falls

Ryumon Falls (竜門の滝) is a waterfall 20 meters high and 65 meters wide. There is a walkway that leads visitors down to the basin. Beside the waterfall, there is Ryumon Furusato Folk Museum and a nice cafe. Inside the museum visitors can see a talking dragon.

Yamaage Kaikan

Yamaage Kaikan (山あげ会館) is a museum is dedicated to the 'Yamaage Festival' which is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The museum exhibits the festival floats and entertains guests with a 8 min recreation of the festival. There is also a shop which sells souvenirs.

Karasuyama Washi Kaikan

Washi Kaikan (和紙会館) is a building which has a nice Washi paper shop where people come to buy local handmade Washi paper and Washi products at a very affordable price. The paper is much higher quality and cheeper that buying it in Tokyo.

Rent-a-bicycle in countryside of Nasukarasuyama city Japan

Rent a bicycle and cycle the countryside

Why not explore the Japanese countryside by bicycle? Bicycles are available to hire at the Yamaage Kaikan near JR Karasuyama Station.

People making Nasukarasuyama Washi paper

Karasuyama Washi No Sato

Washi no Sato (和紙の里) is a 'Washi Paper Studio' located in the mountains. They use traditional methods to make Washi paper. If you are lucky, you can watch Washi being made or try contacting them to book an experience.

Shimazaki Sake Brewery

Known as the ‘Cave Brewery’, we are a family-run sake brewery that produces award-winning aged sake. Come and visit the cave on our open-days or book a special tasting tour by our brewery owner.

Learn more about places to visit in Nasu-Karasuyama

A chat with Nasu-Karasuyama city tourism

Click to learn more about Nasu-Karasuyama from a chat we had with locals (the city's tourism office).

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Interview

EATING in Nasu-Karasuyama City

Japanese Food

Nasu-Karasuyama has a few specialities. One is Nasukarasoba (なすからそば) local soba noodles. Another is Kamameshi (かまめし). And last but not least is Ayu Fish (鮎). Most Japanese restaurants can be found in the city center near the station.

Western Food

Nasu-Karasuyama has a variety of western style restaurants from Family restaurants (budget restaurants) to very popular steakhouse called ‘Clover’.

Ayu fish cuisine

Ayu fish (鮎) is a freshwater fish enjoyed as a delicacy, particularly during the summer months when they are in season. Nasu-Karasuyama is one of the top locations in Japan for ‘Ayu’. After being caught, the fish are typically grilled and served with salt.

Places to STAY in Nasu-Karasuyama City

Hotels (Western style)

There are not many Western style hotels in Nasu-Karasuyama, but one hotel that guest stay at is Karasuyamajo Country Club Hotel (map) which is located on a beautiful golf course 15 min drive from the city center.

Camping

There is a new camping site called Masaru Hills (map) in a Japanese countryside setting and Oiranomori (map) in a woodside setting if you like camping.